BELL 206B

Yuma, AZ — November 11, 2016

Event Information

DateNovember 11, 2016
Event TypeACC
NTSB NumberWPR17LA019
Event ID20161111X71332
LocationYuma, AZ
CountryUSA
Coordinates32.65583, -114.60694
Highest InjurySERS

Aircraft

MakeBELL
Model206B
CategoryHELI
FAR Part137
Aircraft DamageSUBS

Conditions

Light ConditionNDRK
WeatherVMC

Injuries

Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
None0
Total Injured1

Event Location

Probable Cause

The pilot’s inability to maintain helicopter control after its skid got caught on the landing pad while he was maneuvering the helicopter to land on it, which resulted in a dynamic roll-over.

Full Narrative

On November 10, 2016 about 2345 mountain standard time, a Bell 206B3, N914HH, rolled from an elevated landing pad located on top of a truck and collided with the ground near Yuma, Arizona. The commercial pilot sustained serious injuries. The helicopter, operated by Morris Flying Service L.L.C, sustained substantial damage during the crash sequence. The helicopter was being operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137. The helicopter departed the landing area about 10 minutes prior to the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the nighttime local aerial application flight, and a flight plan had not been filed.The commercial pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to apply chemicals to the adjacent fields. After applying four loads of chemical that night, the pilot was returning back to the landing pad that was situated on top of a box truck where he could reload. While attempting to maneuver the helicopter onto the center of the truck's pad, the right skid became caught on an access hole (where ground personnel refill the load). The pilot was unaware of the problem and attempted to reposition the helicopter by lifting the right skid. The helicopter dynamically rolled over off the right rear of the truck and collided with terrain.

The pilot sustained injuries as a result of the accident sequence. He stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

About This NTSB Record

This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.

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